Bartholomew County Commissioners OK video arraignment system

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Commissioners this morning approved the finishing touches on a project to allow video arraignments between the jail and courthouse.

Earlier in the year, the county solicited bids for the service and all came back at more than $100,000. Rather than award the contract, the county decided to do the project in house through the county Information Technology Department. The final total will be no more than $55,000.

Commissioners said the video arraignment system would mean fewer transportations of prisoners between the two buildings, would quickly pay for itself and would be safer for the public. Currently, prisoners are shuttled between the jail and courthouse by county deputies using a car.